Dan Rafael of espn.com is reporting that an HBO Boxing After Dark doubleheader has been inked for February 25th in St. Louis that will feature former Jr. Welterweight champions Devon Alexander battling Marcos Maidana while the co-feature will pit WBO Jr. Lightweight champion Adrien Broner taking on mandatory challenger Eloy Perez.

“Devon’s like a big brother to me,” Broner said Monday night. “I grew up with him through the amateurs. Feb. 25, you can’t ask for nothin’ better than this card.”

“I have emails from both sides confirming the fights. Everything is agreed on and I have a deal with HBO,” said Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer.

Maidana-Alexander has been in the works for about a month.

“They both feel that they are going to have an even bigger impact on the sport in the higher weight class,” Schaefer said. “Devon, based on what I am hearing, he feels significantly better at 147 than he did at 140.

“For Maidana, I think you can put him in any weight class and he’s exciting as hell. Give or take a few pounds, it doesn’t matter. He is a warrior and he will fight anyone and make it exciting.”

“I think it’s going to be a great fight and fan friendly,” Kevin Cunningham, Alexander’s manager and trainer said. “Devon at 147 will have the speed, snap and energy that allows him to perform at 100 percent. St. Louis is a fight town and has always supported the St. Louis fighters. Devon has a special bond with his community and on Feb. 25 they are going to come out in full force to support him.”

“Eloy is an exciting guy, Broner is an exciting guy, so it’s a fight I am looking forward to seeing. I think it’s a toe-to-toe fight. I think Broner has the talent and charisma we need in boxing. What fighter asks his father to comb his hair during his interview with (HBO’s) Max Kellerman? He is an entertainer and a terrific young fighter.”

Said Broner, “I know a lot that want to see me lose and a lot that want to see me win. Perez will come prepared but I am going to come in the ring fresh, fly and flashy, and I’m going to have my brush with me. He’s good, 23-0 with seven knockouts, but from his record, he can’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag. But he’s obviously good and has always come out on top in his fights.

“Against me, he’s gonna be just like the other 22 I have faced. This is going to be his first ‘L.’ I’m not going looking for the KO, but I just don’t feel he will last 12 rounds with me

LAS VEGAS – Devon Alexander introduced his intentions Friday and made them official Saturday morning with a formal announcement that he has left Don King for Golden Boy Promotions in a move that also signals a move up in weight, from 140 pounds to 147.

“One-forty-seven is where I’ll take over,’’ Alexander said at a news conference that included Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, his trainer Kevin Cunningham and manager Drexel Stith. “I know Richard will put me in a position to do what I’ve got to do at 147. That’s why I made this transition.’’

Alexander’s jump from King to Oscar De La Hoya’s company was evident Friday at the MGM Grand when he was introduced before the weigh-in for Saturday night’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz fight, a Golden Boy promotion.

Schaefer said the negotiations were conducted over two to three weeks.

“It was very easy,’’ Schaefer said. “We wanted him to come to Golden Boy and they wanted to come to us.’’

The signing of Alexander adds further depth to the quality of Golden Boy’s fighters at junior-welter and welterweight. Schaefer said he would approach Showtime and Home Box Office next week about the possibility of staging tournaments at 140 and/or 147. There is a wide-range of possibilities at either weight, he said.

However, it will have to be at 147 for Alexander, who says he won’t fight again at 140. Alexander (22-1, 13 KOs) lost a technical decision in January to Timothy Bradley and won a controversial split decision in June over Lucas Matthysse, has struggled to make the junior-welterweight limit.

Schaefer says the heavier weight could transform Alexander the way it did Ortiz against Andre Berto in a dramatic win that earned him the shot at Mayweather.

“Victor was more aggressive,’’ Schaefer said. “We are convinced Devon will make some noise in the 147-pound class and also become a world champion at 147.’’

There already has been some noise. More of it was heard Saturday several hours before opening bell for Mayweather-Ortiz. Welterweight Paulie Malignaggi, a Golden Boy fighter, sat in the back of the room. He and Alexander already have been involved in a trash-talk exchange via Twitter. It continued Saturday in person.

“I’m not a trash-talker,’’ Alexander said.

Malignaggi, who has never ignored a chance to talk, countered: “You started it. If you don’t want to trash-talk, let sleeping dogs lie.’’

But it sounded as if Alexander wanted to sidestep rhetoric that might be the prelude to an actual fight.

“I’m at the top of my game; he’s on the downslide,’’ Alexander said. “I want to fight the best. He’s not at the top of the division.’’

Alexander said he hopes to fight for the first time under the Golden Boy banner in either December or January. Schaefer mentioned Berto as one possibility. As Schaefer talked early Saturday, he could only wonder whether another one might emerge later that night.

Fresh off his controversial win against Lucas Matthysse this past Saturday night, former Jr. Welterweight champion Devon Alexander will move to Welterweight according to Dan Rafael of espn.com

“That’s our last fight at 140,” Kevin Cunningham, Alexander’s manager and his trainer since he first began boxing as a young boy, told ESPN.com on Monday. “He’s killing himself so bad to make the weight. After six rounds, his legs aren’t there because he killed himself to make 140. He’s been making 140 pounds since he was 15 and an amateur. Now he’s a 24-year-old man.”

“Devon didn’t look strong in these last few fights by the mid-rounds,” Cunningham said, referencing Saturday’s fight plus Alexander’s first career loss in a title unification fight versus Timothy Bradley Jr. in January and his unanimous decision win against former titlist Andriy Kotelnik last August.

“Devon never used to weaken in these fights. He didn’t weaken in the (world title) fights with Junior Witter or (Juan) Urango. For those fights, he would get down to 146 and hit a wall at like 145 or 146. It took him a week and a half to get past 145, but he did it. For this fight with Matthysse, he got to 146 and he couldn’t get past it. It took a few weeks and he finally broke through, but it took a lot. A lot.

“I can’t keep putting my fighter at a disadvantage. He’s gotta move up. We’re taking off all this weight and there’s no fat, so he’s been taking off muscle.”

Cunningham already has an opponent in mind — former junior welterweight titlist Paulie Malignaggi, who moved up in weight last year but is on the shelf recovering from a hand injury suffered in his last fight.

“Our first up at 147, we’d like to fight Malignaggi,” Cunningham said. “I think it would be a great fight. Paulie’s already talking s— about Devon, so there’s some bad blood already.”

Also, Alexander’s promotional contract with Don King expired following the fight, so before he returns to the ring, Cunningham said they will be listening to offers.

“The contract with King is over and we’re free to talk to whoever we want to talk to,” Cunningham said. “So we’ll take a little break and then sit down and see what happens. We’ll see what the best direction is for Devon to go in and then we’ll start talking to people.”

Coming off his first professional loss to Timothy Bradley this past January, Devon Alexander rebounded (sort of) by taking a controversial split decision over Lucas Matthysse in a ten round Jr. Welterweight bout at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri.

Matthysse landed the harder shots as he featured the left to the body and right hands upstairs. In round four, Matthysse landed a perfect right to the head that sent Alexander down for the first time in his career. Alexander fought hard as he mixed up trading with the puncher and moving back to gain room to operate.

Matthysse fought very well in the second half of the fight by landing power shots and causing some tense moments for Alexander. Matthysse had a big round seven as he landed numerous right hands and body work. Alexander followed suit in round nine with some solid left hands of his own.

Both guys tried to impose their will in the final round but it was Matthysse who landed the better shots and even opening up a cut around the right eye of Alexander.

When the scores were announced, it was Alexander who had his arm raised by taking the fight by the scores of 96-93; 95-94 while Matthysse took a card 96-93.

Alexander, 139 1/2 lbs of St. Louis is now 22-1. Matthysse of Argentina is now 28-2.

Mack fought very well over most of the fight as he boxed and moved and stuck to his gameplan. Cloud got through with some good power shots that Mack took very well. Mack was actually doing well in the eighth round until he got caught with a left to the side of his face that stunned him. Cloud jumped on Mack and landed five shots that sent him to the canvas over the bottom rope.

Mack was up at referee Sam Williams count of six but was still very dazed and when he was asked to walk towards the referee, Mack stood still and fight was waved off at 2:57 of round eight.

Mack, 175 lbs of Tallahassee, FL is now 22-0 with nineteen knockouts. Mack, 174 1/4 lbs of Philadelphia is now 29-4-2.

Bermane Stiverne made his plea to call himself heavyweight contender with a one-punch knockout over former world title challenger Ray Austin in round ten of a scheduled twelve round Heavyweights bout.

Austin had success early with the jab as he used his 6’5″ height to his advantage. Stiverne rocked Austin several times such as in round two with a left hook as he looked for one shot to end the things. Austin was deducted a point after round three by lunging a shoulder in to Stiverne after the bell. Stiverne continued to land the bigger shots while Austin was looking to box by featuring his jab.

Stiverne was very effective in round’s seven and eight by working the body and landing some nice power shots. In the first minute of round ten, Stiverne missed with a right but connected with a big right that sent Austin to the canvas.

Hype, inevitable as it is dangerous, accompanies Devon Alexander into the ring Saturday against Lucas Mattysse as ally or enemy.

Alexander (21-1, 13 KOs) can use it the way Victor Ortiz did against Andre Berto. For Ortiz, hype became a motivational resource that dramatically restored public credibility and personal confidence. Or Alexander can allow it to intimidate and metastasize, a paralyzing foe powerful enough to leave LeBron James a quarter short and empty every time.

Mattysse’s proven power makes him dangerous, yet it’s hard to believe he would be considered much of a threat if Alexander was not coming off his first defeat. A loss in January to Timothy Bradley tagged Alexander with the kind of criticism that haunted Ortiz after losing to Marcos Maidana, like Mattysse (28-1, 26 KOs) an Argentine junior-welterweight.

Like Ortiz in the wake of Maidana, Alexander’s character was questioned for an apparent surrender in a 10th-round technical decision brought on by a cut Alexander suffered in a head butt.

“People want to criticize everything you do,’’ said Alexander, who went on to say that Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Barack Obama face criticism. “It’s part of the territory. I didn’t read anything after the fight. I just stayed to myself. I knew there was going to be criticism. I just stayed away from it and blocked it all out. I know what I’m capable of doing in the ring and it only motivated me to get back in the gym and get back on top. So it didn’t affect me at all.’’

But criticism comes from all angles and from just about anywhere. One day, it’s on the internet. The next day, it’s in a question during a conference call. It’s there, everywhere, meaning it’s impossible to ignore and a mistake not to use. Eventually, Ortiz did.

During a conference call about 10 days before Saturday’s HBO-televised bout in St. Louis, both Alexander and his trainer, Kevin Cunningham, sounded as if they have acknowledged the questions and taken ownership of the implied lessons.

“I lay the blame on Devon and me and that’s where it should be laid,’’ Cunningham said “When you don’t go out and do what you’re capable of doing, you are going to get criticized. I accept the criticism, he accepts the criticism and we accept full responsibility for coming up short in a great opportunity that was before us.

“But I’m telling you we won’t come up short on June 25, and I believe this fight is going to be a lot tougher fight than the Bradley fight.

Hype portraying Alexander as boxing’s next legend was a factor in the loss to Bradley. It either deluded him, or allowed him to grow so overconfident he cut corners. Whatever it was, he promises there will be no repeat.

“It was all me and what I didn’t do,’’ Alexander said. “…I have to stay focused, no matter how high the stakes are or how low the stakes are. You have to stay focused and follow the game plan.’’

A plan that also includes judicious use of everything there, even the hype.

NOTES, QUOTES
• While wondering whether Mayweather will ever fight Pacquiao and if Mexicans will one day witness Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-versus-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., here’s a question: How is it that fellow Argentines Matthysse and Maidana, both junior-welterweights, have never fought? Matthysse-Maidana sounds as if would do big business at soccer stadium in Buenos Aires.

• With temperatures reaching 110-degrees, the Phoenix market continues to heat up with two cards in July. A couple of weeks after Phoenix super-middleweight Jesus Gonzales (26-1, 14 KOs) faces Henry Buchanan (20-2, 13 KOs) of Maryland at the Suns downtown home at US Airways Center on July 8, former light-heavyweight Rico Hoye makes a comeback at heavyweight at Madison Event Center on July 22 on a card promoted by Michelle Rosado of Face II Face Events.

• And German Felix Sturm has no second thoughts about fighting in the U.S. Sturm hasn’t fought in the U.S. since he was robbed of a decision over Oscar De La Hoya in 2004 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. “No, I’m ready,’’ Sturm said.” I’m always ready to come back to the U.S. …I’m not scared to come back there.’’ Sturm (35-2-1, 15 KOs) defends his World Boxing Association version of the 160-pound title Saturday against Matthew Macklin (28-2, 19 KOs) Saturday in a Cologne bout televised by EPIX.

Don King and 20 boxers, including local favorites Devon Alexander, Ryan Coyne and Cory Spinks will Weigh-In on North Main Street.

WHO: Mayor Sally Faith and the city of St. Charles will host Don King and his Official Weigh-In supporting his upcoming world-championship boxing event he’s named,“Show Me Something Great…in the ‘Show Me’ State” taking place (the day after the weigh-in) on Saturday, June 25 at The Family Arena. The Friday, June 24 weigh-in is open to the public and will take place on North Main St. in the heart of the St. Charles historic district. Three of the prizefighters scheduled to appear are homegrown talent from the St. Louis region, including:

. Devon Alexander “The Great” (Former world champ from the Hyde Park neighborhood in north St. Louis)

. Cory Spinks (Five-time world champion from the famous Spinks fighting family of St. Louis)

“We hope everyone throughout the St. Charles County area will stop by the historic district to support Don King bringing this tremendous HBO-televised event to our community,” said Mayor Faith. “This is a great way to showcase the sport along with the city of St. Charles,” she added. “We’re also excited at the prospect of showcasing the fact that the city is NOT under water!” The Weigh-In event is free and open to the general public.

“This is the Show Me State, so I need the people in the St. Charles area to be present for my Weigh In to let everyone around the country know that St. Charles supports big events like world championship boxing,” Don King said. “The hospitality and outreach of St. Charles Mayor Sally Faith, The Family Arena and the citizenry has been heartwarming. I look forward to seeing everyone on Friday, June 24 in the St. Charles historic district.”

WHAT: Promoter Don King will bring Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-1, 13 KOs) back to the St. Louis area on June 25 to face a significant test in his hometown from noted Argentine knockout artist and World Boxing Organization No. 3 ranked contender Lucas Matthysse (28-1, 26 KOs). King will support the Alexander-Matthysse main event with a history-making fight card that will mark the first time four world championships have been presented in Missouri during a single event.

WHERE & City of St. Charles, Missouri – in the 100-200 block of North Main Street (Colonnade section of the historic district between Quintessential and R.T. Weiler’s)

WHEN: Friday, June 24 – Don King and local dignitaries — including Mayor Sally Faith and County Executive Steve Ehlmann — will be on hand at the Colonnade starting at 4:30p with the weigh-in at 5:30p.

ALSO: For more information, access The Family Arena online at www.familyarena.com or call 636-896-4200. For tickets, go to www.MetroTix.com. Show Me Something Great — YouTube Promo — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PApZuwtgHZY

ST. CHARLES, Mo.—Twenty-four-year-old Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-1, 13 KOs) walked into his St. Louis gym today for a media workout looking like a mature fighter who knows what is at stake in his 140-pound showdown against Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse on Saturday at The Family Arena in nearby St. Charles (HBO: 9:45 p.m. ET/PT)

When asked about his first loss, suffered at the hands of Timothy Bradley in a pivotal match designed to help determine supremacy at the 140-pound weight limit, Alexander was resolute in his reply.

“I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds,” Alexander said, “and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.

“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be International Boxing Hall of Fame material before I hang up my gloves.”

His trainer, Kevin Cunningham, echoed and expanded upon his fighter’s comments.

“I’m not too concerned because it’s not like Devon got beat up against Bradley,” Cunningham said. “He just didn’t do as well as he should have.

“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous at 140 pounds in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”

Tickets priced at $25, $50, $125 and $300 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Family Arena Box Office, all MetroTix outlets including online at metrotix.com or charge by phone at (314) 534-1111. All tickets include parking. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions.

Raw Quotes

Devon Alexander “I want to show people why I was considered one of the best at 140 pounds and I want those people who believed in me to know that they were not wrong.

“I am one of the most capable and dangerous fighters in the division, a former unified world champion that wants to return to the top. My goal is to prove my greatness and be boxing hall of fame material before I hang up my gloves.

“Lucas Matthysse is one of the most dangerous guys out there, a big puncher. But they said the same thing about Juan Urango and I put him out on his back.”

On concerns coming off the loss to Tim Bradley: “I’m not too concerned because Devon didn’t get beat up by Bradley, he just didn’t do as well as he should have. Tim has a history of head butts, which played out, but we take full responsibility for not doing what we were capable of.

“Now he has the man I believe is the most dangerous in front of him on Saturday night, this kid from Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, so this is an opportunity for Devon to answer any questions about how good he can be. I believe he will shine.”

With the deal for the long-awaited Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao megafight signed, it's time for the top two boxers in the world to come face to face to officially kick off the promotion for the fight.

Fighting in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Carl Frampton made the first defense of his 122-pound world title in devastating fashion as he laid a sustained beating on American Chris Avalos en route to a one-sided, fifth-round knockout.

Heavyweight contender Chris Arreola, who had to drop out of a Dec. 11 fight because of a left elbow injury, will make his ring return on March 13 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

Manny Pacquiao is already doing some light training in the Philippines in preparation for his mega pay-per-view showdown with fellow welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.